Josh Wins at World Victory Road "Sengoku"

Written by MMAWeekly.com

Friday, 07 March 2008

TOKYO ? Almost one year after the demise of Pride Fighting Championships, new Japanese promotion World Victory Road held it?s first event on Wednesday in Yoyogi Gymnasium. After a long period of uncertainty, Japanese fans were treated to Sengoku, the first of two impressive fight cards in a ten-day period. The card was littered with fighters who waited for the void from Pride?s demise to be filled. The new Dream promotion ? a partnership between K-1 parent company FEG and staffers of Pride?s former parent company Dream Stage Entertainment ? debuts on March 15 in Japan. Wednesday?s packed house of more than 15,000 was treated to an intro ceremony reminiscent of Pride?s Bushido events, from the video on the large screen to the fighter introductions. The attendance was impressive considering that the event started at 6:30 p.m., a time when most Japanese people are starting their commute home from a long days work. In the evening?s main event, Josh Barnett faced Olympic gold medalist Hidehiko Yoshida, who was sporting a gi. Early in the fight Yoshida connected with a powerful right hand, but in the clinch Barnett applied an impressive suplex, then proceeded working a ground and pound attack until the end of the round. The second round saw the two trading strikes with Barnett getting the better of the exchanges. Yoshida won an exchange, but slipped after missing with a knee. The fight was stopped for a few minutes due to problems with Yoshida?s gloves, but once the action resumed, Barnett quickly transitioned to Yoshida?s back and then into mount. The round ended with Barnett being inches away from an armbar. Early into the final round, Barnett once again took Yoshida?s back and moved to full mount. Barnett was dominant on the ground attempting armbars, kneebars and finally ending the fight by heel hook.

 

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